Rajeev Shukla Responds to Kohli-Rohit Retirement: Confident in Young Talent Pipeline

BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla has expressed appreciation for the retirement decisions made by senior players following India’s victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies. India secured the title by defeating South Africa in a thrilling final at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on June 29.

Following the triumphant campaign, veteran cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20 International cricket. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also decided to retire from T20Is a day after the championship win. Responding to these retirements, Rajeev Shukla emphasized that the decision solely rests with the players, stating that the BCCI respects their choices.

“The entire nation is overjoyed and everyone is thrilled. Regarding retirements, the BCCI has a clear policy that it is entirely the decision of the player. In this instance, Ravindra Jadeja has chosen to retire, expressing his preference to focus elsewhere in cricket, and similarly, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have made their personal decisions,” Rajeev Shukla conveyed in an interview with India Today.

Looking forward, Shukla commended the senior players for creating opportunities for younger talents within Indian cricket, highlighting the depth of talent available.

“Undoubtedly, they must believe that their retirement will open doors for younger players to make their mark in T20Is. We have a plethora of young players in our ranks who are ready to showcase their abilities in T20 cricket. Therefore, this transition is to be welcomed. The senior players who have opted out of T20 cricket have made a good decision, and we appreciate it. They remain available for ODIs and Test cricket; they have not retired from the sport altogether,” Shukla elaborated.

Rohit Sharma, who alongside Shakib al Hasan was the only player to participate in all editions of the T20 World Cup, departs as the highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals, accumulating 4231 runs during his illustrious career. Virat Kohli, the Indian captain, follows closely behind with 4188 runs, marking his tenure as the second-highest scorer in the format. Ravindra Jadeja, who represented India in six T20 World Cups, concludes his T20I career as a world champion, adding significant value to the team over the years.

However, Rajeev Shukla’s comments reflect the BCCI’s respect for the decisions of retiring players and their pivotal role in nurturing emerging cricketing talent for India’s future successes in T20 cricket.